Portable Mini Weather Station: Real-Time Weather Updates with Web Configuration

DIY TECHOS Jan 22.2025

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Overview
The Portable Mini Weather Station is a compact and versatile device designed to provide real-time weather updates, temperature readings, and other atmospheric details. Built with an ESP12F microcontroller and a 1.5" TFT display, this project combines modern technology with sleek design. The station fetches weather data directly from OpenWeatherMap, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information.
What sets this weather station apart is its web configuration portal, allowing users to personalize their settings effortlessly. Whether adjusting the Wi-Fi credentials, city code, UTC time offset, display brightness, or weather update interval, everything can be configured and saved in the ESP12F's EEPROM memory for persistent use.

Key Features:

Portable Design:

A compact and lightweight weather station powered by ESP12F, making it easy to carry and use anywhere.1.5â€ TFT Display: A bright and colorful screen displays real-time weather, temperature, wind speed, and direction in an easy-to-read format.Web Portal for Configuration: Users can configure Wi-Fi settings, city codes, UTC time, brightness, and weather update intervals via a user-friendly web portal.EEPROM Data Storage: Configuration settings are saved to the ESP12Fâ€™s EEPROM, ensuring data retention even after power cycles.Real-Time Weather Updates: Fetches data using OpenWeatherMap API, including temperature, humidity, wind speed/direction, and weather conditions.Customizable Display: Brightness, city-specific data, and update intervals can be adjusted for user preference.Modern Aesthetic: Enclosed in a 3D-printed, stylish casing that blends functionality with beauty.

Tech Specs

1.Microcontroller: ESP12F (ESP8266)

Built-in Wi-Fi for seamless wireless communication.32-bit processor running at 80 MHz (can be overclocked to 160 MHz).4 MB onboard Flash memory for program and data storage.Integrated TCP/IP protocol stack.

2.Display: 1.5â€ TFT LCD

Resolution: 128x128 pixels for crisp visuals.SPI interface for fast and reliable data transfer.Displays weather data, time, temperature, and wind information.Adjustable brightness via web portal.

3.Wireless Module: Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)

IEEE 802.11 b/g/n compatibility.Supports Access Point (AP) and Station (STA) modes.Fetches weather data from OpenWeatherMap API in real time.

4.Power: AMS1117 3.3V Voltage Regulator

Input voltage range: 5VStable 3.3V output to power the ESP12F and TFT display.Low dropout regulator for efficient power management.

5.Storage: EEPROM

Saves user-configured settings like Wi-Fi credentials, city codes, UTC offset, and brightness.Ensures persistent settings after power loss.

6.Dimensions and Weight:

Dimensions: 60 mm x 40 mm x 30 mm.Weight: ~120g (including enclosure).

7.Enclosure: 3D-Printed Case

Sleek, compact, and modern design.High-quality PLA/ABS material for durability.Precise cutouts for display and USB C port.

Components

3D Printed Parts:

1.Top Case:

See the attachment down below to download the stl file of top case

2.Rear Case:

See the attachment down below to download the stl file of top case

Electronics:

Below are all the electronics components that used in this project

Microcontroller

1.ESP-12F (ESP8266MOD) Wi-Fi Module

Package:

WIFIM-SMD_ESP-12F-ESP8266MODQuantity: 1Buy Link: Click Here

Integrated Circuits (ICs)

1.AMS1117-3.3 Voltage Regulator

Package: SOT-223-3_L6.5-W3.4-P2.30-LS7.0-BRQuantity: 1Buy Link: Click Here

2.CH340C USB-to-Serial IC

Package: SOP-16_L10.0-W3.9-P1.27-LS6.0-BLQuantity: 1Buy Link: Click Here

Connectors and Displays

1.ST7789 TFT Display (1.54-inch)

Package: ST7789_TFT_1.54Quantity: 1Buy Link: Click Here

2.USB-C Connector (6-pin)

Package: USB-C-SMD_TYPE-C-6PIN-2MD-073Quantity: 1Buy Link: Click Here

Transistors and MOSFETs

1.SS8050-H Transistor

Package: SOT-23-3_L2.9-W1.3-P1.90-LS2.4-BRQuantity: 2Buy Link: Click Here

2.AO3401 MOSFET

Package: AO3401Quantity: 1Buy Link: Click Here

Resistors

1. 200R Resistor

Package: R0603Quantity: 1Buy Link: Click Here

2. 12k Resistor

Package: R0603Quantity: 10Buy Link: Click Here

3. 5.1k Resistor

Package: R0603Quantity: 2Buy Link: Click Here

4. 1k Resistor

Package: R0603Quantity: 1Buy Link: Click Here

Schematic

1. MCU (ESP-12F)

ESP-12F (U1):

This is the core microcontroller module that runs the weather station's firmware. It supports Wi-Fi for fetching weather data and controlling the connected peripherals.Capacitor (C5, 0.1 Ã‚ÂµF): Acts as a decoupling capacitor to filter high-frequency noise from the power supply.Pull-up Resistors (R12, R13, R14, etc.): Ensure proper logic levels on certain GPIO pins during startup or operation.Connections (REST, ADC, GPIOs): These connect to various components such as the TFT display, ensuring proper communication.

2. USB to Serial (CH340C)

CH340C (U4):

This chip handles USB-to-serial communication, allowing programming and debugging of the ESP-12F via USB.Capacitor (C4, 0.1 Ã‚ÂµF): Provides stability for the CH340C's operation.Resistor (R1, 200 ÃŽÂ©): Limits current to protect the CH340C.Transistors (Q1 and Q2): Used for resetting the ESP-12F module during programming or debugging.Resistors (R2 and R3): Control the base of the transistors to enable the reset functionality.

3. Power Input (USB Type-C)

Type-C Connector (U2):

Provides power input to the circuit.Resistors (R4, R5): Configure the Type-C port to provide a 5V output as per USB PD (Power Delivery) standards.Capacitors (C8, 22 Ã‚ÂµF; C9, 10 Ã‚ÂµF): Stabilize the input voltage to ensure smooth operation.

4. Voltage Regulator (5V to 3.3V)

AMS1117-3.3 (U3):

A voltage regulator that converts the 5V input from the USB Type-C connector to 3.3V, which is required by the ESP-12F and other components.Capacitors (C8, C9, C1): Provide input and output stabilization for the regulator to minimize voltage fluctuations.

5. Display (1.54-inch TFT)

ST7789 TFT (U5):

A 1.54-inch TFT display module with the ST7789 driver, used to display weather information.Resistors (R14): Configures the backlight control of the display.MOSFET (Q3, AO3401): Used for controlling the TFT display's power or backlight.Capacitors (C6, C7): Act as decoupling capacitors to stabilize the power supplied to the display.Connections (SCK, MOSI, DC, CS, RESET, SDA, SCL): These pins connect the ESP-12F to the TFT for SPI/I2C communication and control.

Purpose of the Circuit

This weather station gathers weather data via Wi-Fi (using the ESP-12F) and displays it on the 1.54-inch TFT screen.The USB to Serial section ensures you can easily program and debug the ESP-12F.The Power Input and Voltage Regulator ensure the circuit is powered reliably, converting USB Type-C input to the appropriate voltages.The Display section enables graphical output for showing weather details, making the station visually interactive.

PCB LAYOUT

This Weather Sync PCB integrates an ESP-12F Wi-Fi module, 1.54-inch TFT display connector, USB Type-C power input, CH340C USB-to-serial converter, and AMS1117 voltage regulator. It is compact, efficient, and professionally designed for building a sleek, modern weather station.

Layout

2D Preview

3D Preview

Firmware Uploading

To upload the firmware to this weather station, you will need a USB-C data cable and the software ESP8266FLASHER.exe. Follow these steps:

1.Run the Software: Open ESP8266FLASHER.exe on your computer.

2.Adjust Advanced Settings:

Click on the Advanced tab and configure the settings as follows:

Baud Rate: 921600Flash Size: 4MByteFlash Speed: 80MHzSPI Mode: DOUT

3.Select the Binary File:

Navigate to the Config tab.Click on the gear icon and select the firmware binary file you want to upload.

4.Start the Flashing Process:

Return to the Operation tab.Select the correct COM Port for your device.Click Flash to begin uploading the firmware. The process may take a few minutes.

5.Complete the Process:

Once the firmware is successfully uploaded, close the software.Reboot the weather station to finalize the process.

Your weather station is now updated with the new firmware.

Time To Do WEB Configuration

After powering on the weather station, it will take approximately 30 seconds to display an animation and branding text. Following this, if the Wi-Fi connection fails, a message will appear, and the SSID DIY TECHOS will be displayed. To set up the weather station, follow these steps:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and Configure Wi-Fi:

On your phone, open the Wi-Fi settings and look for a network named DIY TECHOS.Connect to DIY TECHOS, which will automatically open the web configuration portal.Click on Configure Wi-Fi, and a settings menu will appear.Select your Wi-Fi network and enter its password. You also have the option to manually add your Wi-Fi details.

3. Enter City Code:

To find your city code:

Open a browser and go to OpenWeatherMap.Search for your city using the correct spelling in the search bar.The site will display your weather data. Check the URL at the top; the city code will be at the end of the hyperlink.Enter this city code in the City Code field on the web configuration portal.

4. Set Country UTC:

To determine your country's UTC:

Open your browser and search UTC of [Your Country] on Google.Enter the retrieved UTC value in the Country UTC field.

5. Adjust Additional Settings:

Set the LCD brightness level (between 10 and 100).Choose the weather update interval (between 10 and 60 minutes).

6. Save and Update:

Click Save to apply the settings.The weather station will take 5Ã¢â‚¬â€œ8 seconds to display updated weather information, depending on your internet speed.